Portret van Casimir Le Conte

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso linksonder, gestempeld: Stempel J. Fred Bianchi; tekst J. Fred. B. in rechtshoekig kader in blauwe inkt

Art Historical Context

Charles Meryon’s *Portret van Casimir Le Conte*1856) is a striking etching that showcases the artist’s mastery during the mid-19th-century revival of printmaking in France. Meryon, a pioneering Romantic etcher often celebrated for his haunting views of Paris, turned his meticulous hand to portraiture here, capturing the likeness of Casimir Le Conte remarkable precision. Created at the height of Haussmann’s urban transformations in Paris, this work reflects the era’s fascination with individuality and detailed observation, bridging intimate portraiture with the technical innovation of etching. Etching, Meryon’s preferred medium, involves drawing acid-resistant lines on a metal plate, which are then bitten by acid to create rich, tonal depths—ideal for conveying texture and mood. Measuring 341 × 263 mm, this substantial plate allowed for intricate details, from subtle shading to expressive lines, emblematic of Meryon’s style that influenced later Symbolists. Its survival with provenance intact adds allure: verso lower left bears the stamped collector’s mark of J. Fred. Bianchi (J. Fred. B. in a blue-inked rectangular frame), linking it to notable 20th-century connoisseurs. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how etchings elevated printmaking to fine art, preserving personal stories amid Paris’s modernizing fervor. A gem for print enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Charles Meryon · 1821–1868

Charles Meryon, born on November 23, 1821, in Paris, was the illegitimate son of English physician Dr. Charles Lewis Meryon and dancer Pierre-Narcisse Chaspoux (stage name Narcisse Gentil) at the Paris Opéra. His half-sister Fanny, from his mother's prior relationship with Viscount Lowther, remained in contact after their mother's death in 1838. Raised partly outside Paris before attending Pension...